Kostas Seremetis on Working With Errolson Hugh, Mismatched Tees & More

Kostas Seremetis is a man of many talents, best illustrated by his extensive body of works in canvas, sculptures, graphic and, more recently, fashion as he leads the mismatched cut and sew T-shirt fad.  The artist spent his early years in New York before moving to Paris to better craft. Following a spiritual reawakening and a new approach to his art, the 43-year-old has since gone onto collaborate with some of the biggest names in streetwear, while also showcasing his personal works across the globe. In the midst of working on his most recent endeavor of mismatched split panel tops — an expression of the cross-pollination theme underlying many of his works — Seremetis was brought onto help close friend Errolson Hugh with the launch of his latest ACRONYM collaboration with Nike. We were able to catch up with the artist during a recent visit in Tokyo to talk about his involvement in the ACRONYM x Nike Presto launch, mashup of vintage tees, and his unconventional approach to his work.

How did you become involved with ACRONYM’s Nike Presto project? When did your working relationship with Errolson begin?

Too many amazing synchronicities that i am grateful for. A longtime friendship with maestro Errolson. Much inspiration, passionate about his craft, a constant inventor of the wow. We had planted a seed years ago that we would jam on something and it would “explode”. Two homies dialling in a daydream. A decade or more later , that acorn became a tree. The whole project had a family vibe, my radio station was ACRONYM x Nike. I was asked to contribute some visuals that would announce the shoe and mirror the vibration of the combination. During the whole process I just wanted to get those sneakers, I was truly excited. And Nike put two wizards in a pot. BOOM! We remained in silence during the project, passed some OMG’s and LOL via text, and the rest is on my feet .

You’ve been known to release various mashups of vintage tees, many of which feature combinations of comic books and band merch. How did you decide to blend both styles together?

Combination comes very natural to me, it is the same approach that applies in my artwork. Whatever rhymes visually. Truly whatever felt good, bad or great. Rammellzee once said “The only way to break a symbol is with another symbol.” This contains some atomic weight or energy that propels me to move forward as a creative. Once my Atelier was filled with T shirts, I turned on the rock n roll and jammed. I often revisit the idea that it is not the combination of the graphics that is relevant, it is what happened between them, something to evoke ones perspective or imagination.

The trend of mismatched split panel tops has been become increasingly popular in both streetwear and high fashion circles. What do you make of it and do you think that the style is here to stay?

We’re all supposed to leave the planet better than we found it. Evolution is such a wonderful thing, especially in clothing, so if this is a trend, honestly I don’t care. It is my job as a creative to act on the ideas that hold the most value, spiritually, mentally and sincerely. There’s a lot of amazing things happening right now to be grateful for. Whether you’re a consumer or whether you’re just a spectator, cool. We are all here to participate as the best versions of ourselves.

A lot of your work concerns itself with reusing and recycling materials and familiar pop cultural symbols and motifs. How does nostalgia play into your work? 

Like a good architect, I work in a medium that is within my reach for service. I gathered up an abracadabra of our generation, whether of the genre of the American mythology of the superhero, the cartoon, the punk rocker, the rock n roller, science fiction to the beyond. These are just refections of our generation. Character specific execution, thoughtless and liberating.

You have delved into various mediums of work including paintings, collages, sculptures and films as well. Do you change your approach when tackling a particular one? Is there one that is most challenging for you?

Mostly just by changing my underwear and socks. Well, through the delicious process of life’s trial and error. I learn so much from each experience that it’s a weapon in the next endeavor. Feeling that I am a generalist where I can work in any medium that has my attention. I move towards solutions and “challenging” events do occur, however every problem has a gift inside. So hang tight. Take action. Still water goes bad.